UEFA is to give players’ union FIFPro Europe a seat on its Executive Committee in a move designed to give players more input on issues such as the congested match calendar.

In a statement, UEFA announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FIFPro Europe, claiming it marks a “significant step in boosting player representation and cooperation in the governance of European football.”

UEFA said that under the agreement FIFPRO Europe will “for the first time take a seat within UEFA’s governance structures” and, from May 2025, will be represented on its Executive Committee, “initially in an advisory capacity.”

“Voices are directly heard”

UEFA added: “This will help ensure that players’ voices are directly heard at European football’s highest decision-making table, alongside those of national associations, leagues and clubs.

“Key decisions impacting player employment conditions or players’ workload in UEFA competitions will now be made only after extensive dialogue between the two organisations.”

The move comes after stars such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri have warned they could strike in protest at the number of games in the calendar, and follows legal action launched by FIFPro and the European Leagues against FIFA earlier this month.

FIFA sets up Task Force on Player Welfare led by Arsène Wenger

FIFA has announced it is setting up a Task Force on Player Welfare led by its chief of global football development Arsène Wenger amid mounting tensions between players and the governing body.

In a statement, FIFA said the Task Force includes representatives from member associations, confederations, FIFPro, the European Club Association and the World Leagues Association.

“The objective of the task force is to examine how suitable and effective safeguards for players can be implemented, also taking into account practical considerations from operational, medical, regulatory and legal perspectives,” FIFA said.

“The task force is due to make recommendations informed by the latest scientific research into the topic of players’ physical and mental well-being.”

“Global dialogue”

FIFA added that the Task Force is designed to “promote further global dialogue on welfare matters with key stakeholders from across football” and follows a decision of the FIFA Council and entry into force of the revised FIFA Statutes in July.

Earlier this month, FIFPro and the European Leagues launched legal action against FIFA over what they allege is abuse of a dominant position in relation to the international calendar, including a lack of consultation over the new Club World Cup, which FIFA has denied.

Serie A TV blackout over in France as L’Équipe agrees two-year deal

This season’s coverage blackout of Serie A in France has finally come to an end after the sports media group L’Équipe completed a two-season deal with the Italian top-flight.

L’Équipe announced yesterday it had reached an agreement with Serie A to show two games per match week, along with highlights of all 10 fixtures, for the remainder of the 2024/25 season and all of 2025/26.

The first nine rounds of the 2024/25 Serie A campaign have not been available to watch in France after the three-year deal with beIN Sports expired at the end of last season.

New digital channel

One league game will be shown each week on the main free-to-air L’Équipe channel and the other on the new digital subscription channel L’Équipe live foot.

L’Équipe’s coverage began last night with AC Milan versus Napoli. The two-year agreement also includes the renewal of the rights to show the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa.

Red Bull are looking to extend their multi-club portfolio into Italy, with talks underway with Torino over a potential takeover of the Serie A club, Italian media have reported.

The Austrian group struck a new sponsorship deal with Torino last month, becoming the club’s official energy drink partner, marking its first such agreement in the Italian top-flight.

According to La Stampa, the Torino owner Urbano Cairo has held talks with Red Bull representatives over becoming the club’s main sponsor and the future possibility of a takeover.

Stadium requirement

It is understood Red Bull would want Torino to have their own stadium which it would then acquire as part of any buyout, however. The club currently plays at the multi-purpose Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

Cairo has denied he is looking to sell the club. Speaking to the Italian news agency ANSA, he said: "There is nothing true, I have no intention of selling Torino, I have not met anyone.” He added: “The press likes to destabilise the Toro environment."

AC Milan post €4.1 million profit for 2023/24 as revenues hit record high

AC Milan have reported a profit of €4.1 million for the year ending 30th June, 2024 after earning record total revenues of €457 million.

It marks the second successive year the club has finished in the black, following the profit of €6.1 million for 2022/23, when revenues reached €404.5 million as the club generated its first surplus since 2005/06.

The further improvement in Milan’s financial figures in 2023/24 came despite a fall in broadcast income to €152 million, down from €174.9 million in 2022/23, when the club reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Matchday revenues were also lower, declining from €72.8 million to €69.3 million.
However, commercial income reached €143.5 million, up from €127.3 million the previous year, and capital gains from player transfers amounted to €44.9 million, compared with just €200,000 in 2022/23.

Wage bill up 8 per cent

As for expenses, Milan’s wage bill rose by 8 per cent to €188.5 million, compared with €161.9 million the previous year, while depreciation and amortisation costs grew by 31 per cent to €93.7 million.

The club closed 2023/24 with a positive equity position of €196.3 million, up from around €176 million at the end of 2022/23, while net debt was just under €50 million.

Bologna losses ease to €10.4 million as revenues reach €103.8 million

Bologna FC 1909 have reported a loss of €10.4 million for the year ending 30th June, 2024 following the deficits of €16 million the previous year and €46.7 million in 2021/22.

The further easing in the club’s losses came as revenues for 2023/24, including income from player trading, rose to €103.8 million, up from €82.8 million in 2022/23.

In a statement, the club said commercial income reached €20.7 million, an increase of €2.7 million, while matchday income amounted to €8.6 million. Capital gains from player sales totalled €24 million.

Performance bonuses

The club added that its wage bill rose to €71 million, due partly to an increase in performance bonuses, while other operating costs were “substantially in line with the previous year’s figure”.

Bologna qualified for this season’s Champions League after finishing the 2023/24 season in fifth place in Serie A. In 2022/23 they finished ninth in the Italian top-flight.

The deadlock between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain over the French striker’s claim of €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses is set to continue after the LFP’s decision on the issue was upheld on Friday.

As reported by French media, the LFP’s appeals committee upheld the ruling made by its legal committee on 12th September ordering PSG to pay Mbappé, who now plays for Real Madrid, the full amount he is claiming.

However, it is understood the Ligue 1 champions are still refusing to pay the sum. The LFP’s decision is not binding and the league cannot force the club to pay the France captain the unpaid wages, although it is understood PSG could face sanctions such as a transfer ban.

Employment tribunal

If PSG continue refusing to pay the funds, the next step for Mbappé, who has declined to attend mediation talks, may be to take the case to an employment tribunal. It was reported last month that the striker was ready to take the club to court over his claim.

PSG have insisted that Mbappé’s wage arrears are justified by the “commitments” made by the player to renounce them in the event of his departure as a free agent. The forward moved to Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer after his PSG contract expired.

Premier League clubs set to discuss new EFL settlement deal as regulator looms

The Premier League is planning to present its clubs with fresh proposals for a financial settlement with the EFL at a shareholders meeting on 22nd November, according to a report from Sky News.

The meeting will take place a month after the UK Government introduced the new Football Governance Bill, paving the way for an independent football regulator that will have the power to impose a new financial distribution deal.

Sources told Sky that the Premier League had drafted in a heavyweight
team of consultants, including Global Counsel, the lobbying firm founded by Lord Mandelson, to advise it on issues including the new regulator.

Range of new offers

Next month’s meeting is expected to include a discussion on a range of new offers to be made to the rest of the professional football pyramid amid growing demand from some Premier League shareholders to present a revised deal to the EFL board.

An executive at one top-flight club said: "Getting a deal done now that the EFL accepts would offer a five-year fix, which means it is resolved for the medium term and out of the regulator's reach."

They added: "A sensible deal is more likely to get support from 14 clubs [the requisite majority] now."

Genoa and Sampdoria edge forward on stadium project

Italian clubs Genoa and Sampdoria appear to have taken a step towards the potential acquisition and revamp of Stadio Luigi Ferraris after indicating they may now be prepared to collaborate with external partners on the project.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the two clubs said they have “continued talks this week … in order to define the conditions for a joint proposal for the redevelopment” of the stadium, which the two teams share.

It comes after Genoa, who play in Serie A, and Sampdoria, who are in Serie B, last month launched Genova Stadium Srl, a new company set up to drive investment in the venue.

“Third-party operators”

The statement added: “In this perspective, and to further strengthen their understanding, the parties intend to evaluate the possibility of involving third-party operators. In the coming days, meetings and technical insights in this direction will follow.”

The 38,000-capacity Stadio Luigi Ferraris is currently owned by the City of Genoa. Relations between the respective parties had soured over recent weeks, with the two clubs announcing the pursuit of individual projects, while the City unveiled a separate offer for the stadium from the CdS group.

The new independent regulator for English football is set to be given “new powers", including over parachute payments, under the UK government’s Football Governance Bill.

The bill was introduced yesterday in the House of Lords in an attempt to speed up the legislation. In "major changes" to the bill, the Labour government is set to strengthen the regulator's remit, which will oversee clubs in the top five tiers of the game.

As reported by the BBC, as with the original legislation, the regulator will have 'backstop powers' to mediate a financial settlement if the Premier League and EFL continue to fail to reach agreement on a new funding deal.

But it will now be able to consider parachute payments when deciding how much money the Premier League should redistribute. The payments, which are given to relegated clubs, were excluded from the regulator's scope in the initial draft bill.

However, the sports minister Stephanie Peacock has insisted that parachute payments “can’t be abolished”. Whitehall sources told The Daily Telegraph that despite the new powers to potentially review the system, the regulator would intervene only if evidence emerged that “the system was destabilising and compromising financial sustainability”.

“Foreign and trade policy” clause dropped

In a further change to the initial bill, The Daily Telegraph also reported that the government has dropped a clause forcing the new regulator to “have regard to the foreign and trade policy objectives” of the government.

It follows a warning from UEFA over concerns that the clause could amount to state interference in football, leading to the England team being threatened with expulsion from Euro 2028, which will take place in the UK and Ireland.

Norwich City shareholders approve deal for Mark Attanasio to gain majority control

Norwich City have confirmed that joint majority shareholder Mark Attanasio will gain control of the club next year with an increase in the stake held by his group Norfolk FB Holdings to around 85 per cent.

In a statement, the EFL Championship club said the change, first announced in August, was approved by the “relevant shareholders” at an extraordinary general meeting on Wednesday evening and will go through on 1st March, 2025.

Under the agreement, longtime owners Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn Jones will cut their shareholding in the club to 10 per cent and step down as directors. They first joined the club’s board in 1996 and will become honorary life presidents.

Loss of £14.4 million for 2023/24

Norwich reported a loss of £14.4 million for the year ending 30th June, 2024 following the £27.3 million deficit suffered in 2022/23. The team were relegated from the Premier League in 2021/22.

Turnover for 2023/24 fell to £73.1 million, down from £75.6 million the previous year, primarily due to the club moving to the second and final year of parachute payments from the Premier League. However, profit on player sales climbed to £13.4 million, up from £3.6 million.

The Premier League has reiterated its concerns about the new independent regulator for English football following yesterday’s publication of the UK government’s Football Governance Bill.

In a statement, the league said it remains “concerned about the regulatory framework,” pointing in particular to what it described as “rigid banking-style regulation, and the regulator’s unprecedented and untested powers to intervene in the distribution of the Premier League’s revenues.”

The Premier League claimed this “could have a negative impact on the league’s continued competitiveness, clubs’ investment in world-class talent and, above all, the aspiration that drives our global appeal and growth.”

While the league said it “recognises that key elements of the Bill can help make the English game stronger,” it added that “the collective challenge now is to ensure an effective model of regulation which can work in practice.”

EFL welcomes new Bill

EFL Chair Rick Parry said in a statement that they welcomed the new Football Governance Bill:

“It has been our long-held view that there is a requirement for Independent Regulation, and we believe the Bill has been framed in a way that will enable the new Regulator to protect and achieve the sustainability of Clubs across the entire football pyramid.

"We have always been clear throughout this process that our intention is not to harm or hinder the strength of the Premier League, and the value which it generates for the wider pyramid, including the EFL and our competitions. Rather, this is about creating a framework for a sustainable and competitive pyramid which fosters sporting jeopardy without financial catastrophe, underpinned by better regulation and fairer redistribution.”

New independent regulator to have powers to block Premier League stadium sales

The UK government is preparing to give the new independent regulator for English football powers to prevent Premier League clubs from selling their stadiums to related or third-party companies, according to a report from The Guardian.

In June the Premier League attempted to close the loophole, which enables clubs to use one-off profits from the sale of property to escape Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) charges, but failed to gain the support of enough clubs.

Eleven of the 20 teams voted in favour of the league’s proposal at their AGM last summer, three votes short of the two-thirds majority required to secure a change in the rulebook.

Last June, Chelsea sold two hotels at Stamford Bridge to a sister company for £76.5 million in a move that appeared to help the West London club avoid a breach of PSR. The sale was cleared by the Premier League.

Prohibited by EFL

Stadium sales to related companies are prohibited by the English Football League (EFL) and it is understood the government will empower the regulator to impose similar restrictions in the top-flight.

Under proposals set to feature in the Football Governance Bill – which covers the top five divisions in English men’s football – any club wanting to sell their stadium would need approval from the independent regulator.

AS Roma new stadium plans emerge after meeting with city mayor

New details have emerged of AS Roma's plans for the area surrounding their new stadium following a meeting last week between club representatives and the mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri.

According to Italian media reports, the meeting concluded with the promise that the final draft of the plans, which were initially due to be presented to the City of Rome in the first months of 2024, will arrive by the end of the year.

It is understood that a number of details are still being considered, including references to classical architecture and ancient Rome such as arches and water in a large urban green park outside the stadium.

Pedestrian bridges

Roma have also opened a dialogue with Italian State Railways over the construction of pedestrian bridges which could be built alongside the stadium.

It comes after delays to the project caused by the summer break and a complicated legal dispute between the municipality and two residents. Heavy machinery returned to the construction site earlier this month.

FIFA accused of not paying out £3.09 million to 420 European players

FIFA has been accused of not paying the final part of agreed sums to players across Europe whose contracts have not been honoured by their clubs, in a fresh blow to player relations with the global governing body.

Sources from different countries with knowledge of the situation told the BBC that while some payments were made by FIFA, the final one has not been. It is understood 420 players are owed a total of £3.09 million.

Many of the affected players are either unemployed or now retired and the sums are said to be vital. The money was due to come out of FIFA’s Fund for Players,which was set up in 2020. The outstanding payments were due in September 2023.

Financial difficulties

An email sent to FIFA from one national union, seen by the BBC, highlighted more than 30 named players and stressed the financial difficulties being faced, with a plea to release the outstanding sums.

The report comes after global players' union FIFPro and the European Leagues launched legal action against FIFA last week over what they allege is abuse of a dominant position in relation to the international calendar, including a lack of consultation over the new Club World Cup, which FIFA has denied.

Liverpool are expecting to make more than £60 million a year from their new kit deal with Adidas, which will come into effect from the start of the 2025/26 season, The Guardian has reported.

The German sports brand is to replace Nike as Liverpool’s kit supplier when the American giant’s five-year contract expires. Adidas, which last supplied the Merseyside club’s kit between 2006 and 2012, won a tender process for a five-year deal against Nike and Puma.

Liverpool believe it will bring their kit earnings into line with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, who all receive around £60 million to £65 million from deals with Adidas, Puma and Nike respectively.

Guaranteed base figure

In their current deal with Nike, Liverpool receive £30 million a year as a guaranteed base figure. However, the total can be closer to £60 million a season due to the structure of the agreement.

The contract includes commercial tie-ins, performance-related bonuses and 20 per cent royalty payments on net sales of replica sportswear, promoted most prominently by the basketball star and minor Liverpool shareholder LeBron James.

Arsenal explore Emirates Stadium expansion to match rivals’ matchday income

Arsenal have begun exploring how they could upgrade and expand the Emirates Stadium to try to catch up with their rivals’ matchday income, The Times has reported.

The North London club’s matches regularly sell out and they realise that they need to keep pace with the huge demand for tickets, as well as adapt to supporters’ changing catering and corporate needs, for example by improving internet access.

It is not clear how Arsenal could increase their capacity beyond the current 60,704 in a cost-effective way, having added 780 seats in 2018. Experts have suggested they could consider changing the gently sloping elliptical roof, which was shaped to help airflow and sunlight reach the grass.

Surpassed by Tottenham

The Emirates’ capacity was the biggest in London when Arsenal moved from Highbury in 2006, but the stadium’s size, catering and corporate facilities have since been surpassed by those of Tottenham Hotspur, who earn close to £6 million from each match at their 62,850-capacity venue.

Arsenal earned £102.6 million in matchday income in 2022/23, which is estimated to increase to more than £120 million for 2023/24 as the team reached the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Inter and AC Milan look to push on with new stadium plan after key meeting

Inter and AC Milan are seeking to push forward with their fresh idea for the construction of a new stadium in the San Siro area following a meeting with senior officials and politicians held yesterday.

As reported by Italian media, the two clubs, together with the mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala and superintendent Emanuela Carpani, met the minister of culture Alessandro Giuli and minister of sport Andrea Abodi.

After the meeting, the City Council of Milan confirmed that the clubs are proposing to buy from it the areas surrounding the current San Siro and build a new modern facility on the site which would become their new joint home ground.

Expression of interest

The council added that it will hire experts to assess how much the package is worth and should be sold to the clubs for. It is understood that Inter and AC Milan will soon present a formal expression of interest for the project in order to move it to the next stage.

The developments are the latest in a saga stretching back five years. Last month the two clubs rejected a plan to revamp the San Siro while reviving their proposals to build a new jointly owned stadium in the area.

FIFA Club World Cup: Players may refuse to promote tournament

FIFA is facing a fresh challenge over its expanded Club World Cup, with top players in Europe considering refusing to help promote the 32-team competition due to take place next summer, according to a report from The Times.

It comes after the European Leagues and global players' union FIFPro launched legal action against FIFA last week over what they allege is abuse of a dominant position in relation to the international calendar, including a lack of consultation over the new Club World Cup, which FIFA has denied.

Sources have told The Times that players’ unions in England, France and Italy are now considering other protests around the tournament, including refusing to take part in promotional activities for the tournament or any sponsors.

Relations between FIFA and FIFPro are now said to be at rock bottom, with FIFPro insiders believing FIFA has responded to the legal complaint by withdrawing co-operation over a fund for players whose clubs have gone bust and over the World XI award selected by professionals from across the globe.

Inter Miami to take part

FIFA president Gianni Infantino this week announced that Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be included in the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be staged in the US, despite the global governing body not previously revealing the qualification pathway for that place.

FIFA has so far failed to secure any sponsorship or TV deals for an event less than eight months away, and Messi’s involvement is seen by many within the game as a way of trying to enhance interest.

LaLiga proposes hosting FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid in Miami in December

LaLiga is looking to stage FC Barcelona's fixture against Atletico Madrid scheduled for 22nd December in Miami and is seeking approval from FIFA for the proposed plan, Spanish media have reported.

It would be the first time a LaLiga match has been played in the US. The move comes after FIFA’s withdrawal in April from a legal challenge by match promoter Relevent, which is seeking to stage overseas league matches in America.

The following month, FIFA announced it was setting up a working group to look at the potential impact of competitive domestic matches being played abroad. The global governing body will make the final decision on LaLiga’s proposal.

Barcelona v Girona plan dropped

Barcelona planned to stage a LaLiga match against Girona in Miami in January 2019, but the idea was dropped in the face of opposition from FIFA, UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Spanish players' union.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has spoken of his desire to take games to other countries. Barcelona and Atletico are both scheduled to play in a four-team Spanish Super Cup in early January, which is being held in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi takeover of Newcastle United is set to come under fresh scrutiny after The Daily Telegraph reported that leaked WhatsApp messages suggest Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, personally controlled the purchase of the club.

The messages from Amanda Staveley, who brokered the club’s sale to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was completed in October 2021, raise questions over guarantees made to the Premier League to secure the deal.

The cache of WhatsApps suggest the Crown Prince was signing off key decisions. At one point, Staveley warns the sellers that “the Crown Prince is losing patience”, and when the deal hit trouble, she said the governor of PIF was “trying to…convince the Crown Prince not to pull out”.

Political involvement

The messages shed new light on the extent of political involvement in the takeover, with Staveley enlisting the help of the Saudi ambassador to the UK to rescue the deal and also being in direct contact with Lord Grimstone, then the minister for investment.

In April 2021, Boris Johnson, the then UK prime minister, said his government “was not involved at any point in the takeover talks on the sale of Newcastle” in a written parliamentary answer.

Via lawyers, Staveley said she only ever referenced the Crown Prince in his capacity as chairman of PIF. To suggest that her messages cast doubt on whether assurances about independence from the Saudi state have been adhered to subsequently “is as illogical as it is misconceived,” she added.

Premier League meeting over Manchester City-APT rules case to take place today

The Premier League is to hold its emergency meeting with clubs to discuss the legal dispute with Manchester City over its Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules today.

The meeting, originally scheduled for last Thursday, was postponed after planned meetings with the league’s legal advisory group and financial controls advisory group had been delayed.

As reported by The Daily Telegraph, in the week after the findings of the City tribunal were published, several of the other 19 clubs shared details around their shareholder loan agreements – considered one of the most significant elements of the landmark verdict – with the Premier League.

Significant variation

Inevitably, there is significant variation in terms attached to those deals, which has complicated preparations for a new arrangement. It is understood the Premier League is now ready to discuss next steps with the clubs around tightening its rules.

The clubs were due to meet last week to discuss three potential amendments to the APT rules, but it was never the plan to vote on any law change that day. There will be further meetings of the league’s legal advisory group and financial controls advisory group before a final vote can be scheduled.

Udinese takeover interest sparked by Russian billionaire Sergey Lomakin

Fresh speculation has emerged about a possible takeover of Udinese, with Italian media reporting that the Russian billionaire Sergey Lomakin is interested in acquiring the Serie A club.

Lomakin – who already controls Latvian club Riga FC, Russian side Rodina Moscow, and Cypriot team Pafos – has reportedly contacted the Pozzo family, who have owned Udinese since 1986, to begin talks over a potential acquisition.

However, it is understood that the Pozzos, who also own the EFL Championship club Watford, do not want to disengage from football and especially from Udinese and would prefer a partnership to develop the Italian club in the future in which they were guarantors of the project.

“Eastern Europe's answer to CFG”

Lomakin, who has a personal fortune of $1.7 billion, has been described by the New York Times as "Eastern Europe's answer to the City Football Group" due to his ownership of clubs in the region.

He holds a Cyprus passport, allowing him to avoid being blacklisted despite being Russian, although he lives in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. His core business is retail. He is the founder of Fix Price, a discount chain with around 4,000 locations in Russia, Georgia, Belarus, Latvia and Uzbekistan.
 

UEFA has won a major ruling against FC Barcelona over its financial fair play (FFP) rules which looks set to have an impact on spending controls across European football.

Barcelona lost an appeal against the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB)’s decision to fine the Catalan club €500,000 for submitting revenue from the sale of future broadcast rights as FFP-compliant income.

The judgment on the case, delivered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), was scathing about Barcelona’s attempt to redefine the nature of €267 million of revenue against even the advice of the club’s auditors.

Deal with Sixth Street

CAS noted that in June and July 2022 Barcelona sold off 25 per cent of their future broadcast rights income from LaLiga for the next 25 years over two tranches to US investor Sixth Street for a total of €667.5 million.

However, only part of that – the first sale in June, a 10 per cent tranche worth €267 million – was included in Barcelona’s FFP submission for the 2022/23 season.

It now appears likely that Barcelona will fail to comply with their FFP requirements for the 2023/24 season, with UEFA having withheld its judgment pending the result of the CAS arbitration.

The judgment will also empower UEFA to look closely at what it calls the “disposal of non-tangible assets” to raise FFP-compliant revenue in other clubs.

Laporta defends record as FC Barcelona 2023/24 accounts approved by members

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has staunchly defended his management of the Catalan club as members approved its accounts for the year ending 30th June, 2024 during its annual general meeting on Saturday.

Of the members in attendance, 452 voted in favour and 156 against the board’s accounts for 2023/24, which included a net loss of €91 million due largely to the failed sell-off of the club’s digital business Barça Vision.

In a speech ahead of the vote, Laporta, who was elected for his second spell as Barcelona president in 2021, backed his board's handling of the club, saying: "We haven't reached the end of the road, but it's true that we're better off in a financial and sporting sense than in 2021.”

Barça Vision value

The Barcelona chief also insisted that the 2023/24 accounts do not need to be revised, after Spanish media reported earlier this month that Grant Thornton, which audited the club’s financial statements for the year, had said the net loss should be higher than €91 million.

Barcelona recorded around €208 million in assets derived from 51 per cent of Bridgeburg Invest, the holding company which controls Barça Vision, as at 30th June, 2024, but it was reported that Grant Thornton believes "the value of the investment registered at the end of the year should be subject to deterioration".

Laporta said there are reasons to justify the current value of Barça Vision, such as the investment made by club sponsor Aramark this summer, adding: “The technology business is very new and it’s agreed, and we are calm because in the future it will be one of the main sources of income for the club.”

New Bundesliga broadcast rights auction set to begin on 25th November

The DFL is to hold a fresh partial auction of the Bundesliga’s domestic broadcast rights next month as it looks to resolve its dispute with DAZN, Kicker has reported.

It is understood the date set for the start of the new bidding process is 25th November, with the DFL informing Germany’s 36 first and second division clubs of the development last Friday morning according to Kicker’s report.

Back in April, the DFL was forced to suspend the auction process for the next five-year cycle, running from 2025/26 to 2028/29, after DAZN claimed the league had unlawfully awarded the deal for the largest bundle of games to rival Sky.

Rights package B

Following an arbitral award delivered last month, the DFL must re-conduct the controversial partial auction of the rights package B, which includes 196 live Bundesliga matches on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons as well as the promotion/relegation play-offs.

The DFL has previously stated that it conducted the original tender process “in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner”, and that DAZN’s complaints had “no basis and no justification”.

FIFA opens dialogue with ECA, FIFPro and World Leagues Association on Diarra case

FIFA has announced the opening of discussions over its transfer regulations with stakeholders across the game following the ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the case of former French player Lassana Diarra.

In a statement, football’s global governing body said that “as an initial measure” it has “already invited key stakeholders, including representatives from the European Club Association, FIFPro and the World Leagues Association, to analyse the conclusions to be drawn” from the CJEU’s decision.

FIFA added that it has also “established a platform that will enable all interested parties (groups or individuals) to submit feedback by 15 November 2024 as part of the consultation process.”

Conflict with EU law

Earlier this month, the CJEU ruled on the Diarra case in favour of the player, stating that specific FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) conflicted with EU law. It pointed in particular to article 17.2, which dictates how compensation is paid when a player terminates their contract without just cause.

In its statement, FIFA said it “welcomes constructive proposals in relation to its regulatory framework around article 17 of the RSTP and considers the judgment in the Diarra case an excellent opportunity to collectively discuss and identify possible improvements to the current regulatory framework.”

French billionaire Bernard Arnault, chairman of luxury goods group LVMH, and energy drinks company Red Bull are in exclusive talks to acquire a majority stake in Paris FC, the club says in a statement.

The negotiations are being conducted through the Arnault family's holding company, Agache, with Red Bull seeking a minority holding.

While financial details of the proposed deal have not been disclosed, the takeover would represent Arnault's latest venture into sports. This follows LVMH's recent 10-year sponsorship agreement with Formula One and its support for the Paris Olympics.

“Elite of French football”

Agache and Red Bull aim to provide Paris FC “with the necessary resources to permanently establish the men's and women's teams among the elite of French football and within the hearts of the Parisians,'" Agache stated.

Paris FC has a history dating back to 1969 and currently leads Ligue 2.

Opposition groups challenge FC Barcelona president Laporta

Several opposition groups, including club members and former presidential candidates, are challenging FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta's administration over concerns of transparency in the club's financial management, Spanish media reports.

They are calling for a reformulation of the accounts for the 2023-2024 season, insisting that the current figures do not accurately reflect the club's economic reality.

These groups have also requested a new date for the assembly of delegates, initially scheduled for this Saturday, advocating for a hybrid or in-person format to facilitate direct interaction between members and the club's leadership.

Question board’s actions

According to a statement from the opposition, there is significant dissatisfaction with Laporta's board of directors.

The statement reads: "The groups of members and signatories have joined together to express our concern about the current management of the board of directors of FC Barcelona, a management with much room for improvement and with little proactive behavior when it comes to promoting the real participation of members, especially at the headquarters of the assembly of delegates."

The opposition has raised questions about the legitimacy of the reported €91 million in losses. They are pushing for a more transparent and participative model at FC Barcelona.

Premier League expands global reach with Beijing office

The Premier League is expanding their global footprint by opening a new international office in Beijing, aiming to capitalize on the growing Chinese interest in English football. This strategic move is designed to enhance the league's popularity and strengthen ties with Chinese fans and partners, according to a statement from Premier League.

In addition to establishing a physical presence in China, the Premier League has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Chinese Football Association. This partnership focuses on the development of elite players, coaches, and match officials, as well as providing training for grassroots coaches and referees.

China's ambition to become a major footballing nation has seen its domestic league attract high-profile international players with substantial contracts. Despite a recent slowdown due to Beijing's restrictions on foreign investments, teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers remain under Chinese control.

Broader strategy

The Beijing office is part of the Premier League's broader strategy to secure its international revenue streams, which have been challenged in the past. In 2020, the league faced difficulties when Suning Holdings Group Co.’s PPTV terminated a significant broadcasting contract.

The Premier League's first international office was opened in Singapore in 2019 to combat content piracy and support broadcast partners. It also maintains an office in New York.

Bordeaux to lay off 97 employees

FC Girondins de Bordeaux are set to lay off 97 employees on November 6th as part of an Employment Protection Plan (PSE), reigional media France Bleu Gironde reports.

The layoffs come in the wake of the club's relegation from Ligue 2 to National 2, a demotion that occurred after failing to demonstrate financial stability to the DNCG, French football's financial watchdog.

The affected employees, some of whom have dedicated their entire careers to the club, were notified this week, albeit without any formal communication from the club's management. The news has been met with dismay by the local community and fans who have long-standing ties with the club.

MP calls for fairness and transparency

Local MP Marie Récalde expressed her concern about the significant human impact of these layoffs, stating to France Bleu, "Behind a club like the Girondins de Bordeaux, there are dozens of people, families, real fans who have given years and years. It is a real tragedy with serious human consequences."

Récalde also called on the club's owner, Gérard Lopez, to fulfill his moral and legal responsibilities towards the employees facing unemployment. She emphasized that the PSE should be executed fairly and transparently, with adequate compensation provided to assist those affected in moving forward after such a challenging event.